Tape supporting means for strand covering machines



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 SELHQUUUUT W All- A. c. NYsTRoM ETAL May 31, 1949.

I V TAPE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR STRAND COVERING MACHINES Filed Nov. 4, 1947 (R Q 3? W2 y 949. A. c. NYSTROM ETAL 3 TAPE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR STRAND COVERING MACHINES Filed Nov. 4, 1947' s Sheets-She et 2 May '31, 1949. A. c. NYSTROM ETALY 2,471,973

TAPE SUPPORTINGMEANS FOR STRAND COVERING MACHINES v Filed Nov. 4, 1947 s Sheets-SheefS FIG-3 lN VENTORS A. c. ursmou mJ. VOL CKHAUSEN ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1949 UNITED OFFICE TAPE SUPPGRTHNG MEANS FOR STRAND COVERING MACHINES Application November 4, 1947, Serial No. 783,874

3 Claims. (Cl. 57-3) This invention relates to material supplying apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for supplying tape-like cores to stranding machines for forming switchboard cables.

In the manufacture of switchboard cables, it has been found desirable to produce the cables with flat or oval cross-sectional contours as they may be more readily disposed in the compact areas in switchboard equipment. The insulated electrical conductors of cable of this type are formed about a tape-like material more commonly known as pressboard which may be of various widths depending upon the size of cable to be formed thereon, and more particularly to the number of electrical conductors to be wound spirally thereabout.

An object of the invention is to provide a material supplying apparatus which is simple in structure, efficient in operation, readily adjustable for various sizes of material supplies and easily actuable for the mounting of the material supplies therein.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises a material supplying apparatus including a frame rotatable about its axis and supporting a supply of material on an axis at right angles to the frame axis. Means under the control of an electric switch is provided to rotate the frame in one direction during rotation of the supply of material in another direction and at the same time, means engaging the supply of material causes actuation of the switch to render the rotating means ineffective when the supply of material becomes empty.

More specifically the invention includes a frame in the form of a flyer rotated about its axis to rotate a supply pad of tape-like material about the centerline of a path along which the material is advanced longitudinally.

A brake element is positioned to engage the pad of material and through the combined forces of a plurality of springs create a constant tension in the material by diminishing the brake drag as the pad decreases in size. A rod movable with the brake element carries a handle positioned to actuate a lever which in turn operates a normally closed switch to open the switch and open a circuit to a power means, such as a motor, to stop rotation of the flyer or frame when the pad of material becomes empty.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the material supplying apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the material supporting mechanism of the apparatus;

Fig. i is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating the brake element and the switch con trol means, a portion of this structure being shown in section; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4.

The material supplying apparatus includes a fiyer unit indicated generally at it rotatable in bearings l i and i2 supported by mounting brackets Hi and iii. The flyer it is in the form of a frame composed of channel members it disposed at spaced positions parallel with each other and connected to enlarged head-like portions of shafts i9 and 2d at their ends. The shafts l9 and 2E3 are journalled in alignment with each other in the bearings H and I2. Sleeves 2i and are mounted in aligned apertures 23 and it of the channel members l8 to receive annular internally threaded members 25 and 25. The sleeves 2i and 22 and the members 25 and 26 are fixed parts of the frame or channel members l3.

Adjustable retaining elements 2! and is are externally threaded to be received in their internally threaded members 25 and 26 respectively, and are internally apertured as at 29 and iii to receive a tubular supporting element or spindle 3!. Handles 32 are mounted in the ends of the supporting element 31 whereby the element may be readily removed from the apertures 29 and it from either side of the machine. Latches and iii slidable Iongitudinally in guideways 35 and 3&3 are normally held in the position shown in 3 adjacent their respective ends of the supporting element 3! by the force of their respective springs 35 and 49. The springs 39 and 49 are disposed concentric with rods ti and 12 movable longituclinally in apertured lugs 43 and 44 carried by brackets t5 and it which are supported by the channel members 18. The springs 39 and till abut respective lugs 43 and M at like ends, their opposite ends engaging outwardly extending handles ll and 43 which are fixed to the latches and respectively. By moving the handles ll and $8 to the left (Fig. 3) their respective latches 33 and 3% will be moved away from the ends of the element 3| freeing it to be removed from the apertures 29 and 30.

The retaining elements 27 and 28 have grooves 49 and 50 therein disposed at spaced positions about their peripheries to receive retaining latches 53 and 54"respectively. The-,latches- 53 and 54 are mounted on the-inner ends of rods 55 and 50 which extend through apertures in the brackets 45 and 46.

moving the latches 53 and 54 outwardlmfree. of any of the grooves 49 and 50 where they are held normally by the forces of springs 59-and--60=.-

Aligning pins BI and B2 carried byrthe brackets- 45 and 46 and entering apertures Ii-trandtlin the handles 51 and 58 respectively, hold the latches 53 and 54 against rotation. The-npins-BI and 62 serve also to hold the latches 53. and 5.4.

disengaged when the handles are rotated after they are moved outwardly free of the pins. Latk during longitudinal advancement of the material.

A sprocket TI-mounted on theshaft-20 is connected to a sprocket 18 of a drive shaft IQ-by a chain 80. The drive shaft I9 is supported in suitable bearings BI and driven by a motor 82 through a sprocket-and chain connection 83. In

the present embodiment of the invention, the motor 82 is in a circuit 85 with a control switch 85. In actual structure, the necessary relays (not shown) are provided together with the conventional start switch 8'4 and stop switch 88. The switch 86 is normally closed and will-be actuated into open position by a lever 90, pivotally supported at on a bracket 92- which inturn-supports a switch 86; when the padlfl becomes empty.

A brake element 95, which'carries a brake pad 96 to engage the periphery 'of the pad of material It, is apertured at: 91 to receive the inner end of a rod 98. An annular member 99 fixedly mounted upon a reduced portion of'the inner end of the rod 98 is receivable in an annularrecess I00 of the brake-element 95' whereby the brake element may rotate withthe-flyer I0'while the rod 98 is held against rotation. A plurality of springs I532 have their adjacent ends: secured at equally spacedpositions to apertured'flanges i'03 of the brake element 95'. There are four springs I02 and they=-extend1 substantially the full length of theframe or-fiyer-Ifl; thatis, the channel membersIB thereof: w-heretheir'right hand ends are secured to suitable brackets I04 (Fig. 1). The springs IilZcare'identicaldnstructure and are expanded to-v createa given. force therein which is appliedto the pad 'I0 =through the brake element 95- and its-brake pad96: Sheet metal guides I05 mounted on the -channel-memhers I8 and extending longitudinallythereofpartially surround the springs as illustrated inFig. 2.

The rod 98 extends axially throughthe shaft I9 and the bearing member II where theouter end of the rod is provided with a handleIlI'I. A control element I08 mounted on thebearing member I I has a flat undersurface I09 to be engaged by a flattened portion H0 of the rod 98 to hold flyer I0. Anassociated-element lll 'mounted on Handles 51 and 58 are mounted on. the outer ends of the rods v55-and5Ilforuse .in

the bearing I I cooperates with the element I08 in completing a substantially annular disc centrally apertured to guide the rod 98 in its longitudinal movement. A cutaway portion H2 is provided in the rod 98 adjacent the inner extremity of the fiat surface IIil whereby the rod 98 -may be rotated, when this portion is brought into registration with the flattened surface I09 of the element I08, to cause the element I08 to function as a latch to hold the rod with the brake element .95 inan outer position. The handle I01 is positioned to engage a roller II I carried by the upper end'of'the lever 99, to rock the lever, to operate the switch 86 when the pad 10 is empty.

A suitable cover is provided for the flyer I0 including a main stationary portion I20 supported by the mounting brackets I4 and I6 and positioned therebetween. this portion surrounding approximately two thirds of the flyer, leaving an opening I2I through which access may be had to the flyer in-mounting pads '50 singly in the flyer and making necessary adjustments for pads of various sizes. The opening I2I is closed by a door I23 provided with rollers I24 to ride upon a track I 25 carried by-the-main cover I20.

During operation of the apparatus, let it 'be assumed that a full pad of material "I0 is mounted in the frame of the flyer I0 and this material is threaded through the shaft 20 and directed to themeans (not shown) which causes its longitudinal advancement. The brake element rests on the periphery of the pad 70 and is forcedthereagainst by the combined forces embodied in the springs I02. This force translated to the pad through the brake element 95 is at its maximum when the pad is full and will diminish gradually as the pad decreases in size through the paying off of the material therefrom. As a result, a constant tension is created in the material '16. While the material 16 is advanced longitudinally through the shaft '20, it is rotated about its longitudinal centerline by rotation of the flyer Hi. This is brought about by the operation of the start switch 87 to energize the motor 82 to drive the shaft I9 which in turn will drive the flyer I0. This operation continues until the pad 10 becomes empty or approximately empty at which time the handle I01 of the rod 98 functioning as a cam will engage the roller N4 of the lever 90 and rock the lever clockwise until the switch 86 is actuatedinto open position, thus deenergizing the motor 82. The stop switch 88 is then actuated after which the operator pulls the rod 98 outwardly to the left (Figs. 1 and 4) until'the shoulder adjacent the cutaway portion I I2 in the rod engages the inner surface of the element I 08, at which time the rod is rotated approximately to lock the rod in its outermost position.

The operator then actuates the closest latch 33 or 34 to free the element 3| for removal whereby a core, which usually constitutes the central portion of-the pad l0, may be removed and a new pad of material I0 installed in the flyer.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangementsare simply-illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A material supplying apparatus for supporting a pad of tape-like material and rotating the material about an axis coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the material pulled from the pad, the apparatus comprising a frame, means to support the frame for rotation about a given axis, power means to rotate the frame, means carried by the frame to rotatably support a pad of tapelike material as the material is withdrawn therefrom and advanced along a path coincident with the axis of the frame, a brake element movable relative to the support for the pad, spring means to force the brake element against the pad to apply a diminishing brake drag to the material comparable to the diminishing size of the pad to create a given tension in the material, and a rod movable relative to the frame concentric therewith for supporting the brake element for rotation with the frame.

2. A material supplying apparatus for supporting a pad of tape-like material and rotating the material about an axis coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the material pulled from the pad, the apparatus comprising a frame, means to support the frame for rotation about a given axis, power means to rotate the frame, means carried by the frame to rotatably support a pad of tape-like material as the material is withdrawn therefrom and advanced along a path coincident with the axis of the frame, a brake element movable relative to the support for the pad, spring means to force the brake element against the pad to apply a diminishing brake drag to the material comparable to the diminishing size of the pad to create a given tension in the material, a rod movable relative to the frame concentric therewith for supporting the brake element for rotation with the frame, and means cooperating with the rod to hold the brake element free of the pad.

3. A material supplying apparatus for supporting a pad of tape-like material and rotating the material about an axis coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the material pulled from the pad, the apparatus comprising a frame, means to support the frame for rotation about a given axis, power means to rotate the frame, means carried by the frame to rotatably support a pad of tape-like material as the material is withdrawn therefrom and advanced along a path coincident with the axis of the frame, a brake element movable relative to the support for the pad, spring means to force the brake element against the pad to apply a diminishing brake drag to the material comparable to the diminishing size of the pad to create a given tension in the material, and means under the control of the brake element to render the power means ineffective when the pad becomes empty.

AXEL C. NYSTROM. WALTER J. VOLCKHAUSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 108,409 Towle Oct, 18, 1870 1,218,009 Somerville Mar. 6, 1917 2,004,634 Petterson June 11, 1935 2,177,812 Robbins et al Oct. 31, 1939 2,208,306 La France et al July 16, 1940 2,226,352 Welch Dec. 24, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 367,058 Great Britain Feb. 18, 1932 

